Jade opened her locker as she sighed to herself. She was finally through this day, for some reason it was a headache. Oh yea she know why, everyone was still going on and on about Tori and the performance at the awards. Yea, yea it was ground breaking opportunity, now let's move on. She's still happy for her, it was cool, but that doesn't mean she wants to hear about every day.
She closed the locker and to her surprise Beck's smiling face was standing there along with Andre.
"Why are you guys standing around smiling like a couple of idiots?" she asked.
"Jade." Beck said as if cautioning her.
"Why are you guys standing around smiling like a couple of idiots?" she said with a smile on her face.
Beck shook his head; still the classic Jade, but it still made him smile.
"Hey, we were going to hang out for awhile at the mall; we wondered if you want to come." Andre said.
"You guys are inviting me?"
"Yea, it was Tori and Beck's idea. Tori, Kat, and Robbie are meeting us there."
Jade looked between Andre and Beck. She guessed Tori thought they were friends that could hang out since everything that happened at the awards. Why the hell not? She wasn't planning on doing anything else.
"Ok, I guess. I do want to check out that new store." Jade shrugged.
"What new store?" Beck asked.
Jade was about to open her mouth when a blur of blonde hair stepped in between her and Beck, "Hey Beck, how are you doing?" the mindless girl giggle.
"Hello, um…Kelli?"
"You remembered my name." she giggled more. Jade rolled her eyes; this girl got Kat beat in the brainless department, "I was wondering if you could take me home, please." She pouted.
Jade bit down on her bottom lip trying to hold her tongue. She's trying to be nice, but this was hard to do.
"Well, I actually have plans with my friends here."
"Oh, well Andre can come too. I have my sister at home."
"She has a sister at home." Andre repeated looking at Beck with those pleading eyes.
"We have friends to meet right now." Jade said through her smile, trying to hold back.
"Yea, we are going to hang out."
"Certainly you can have better time with me as oppose to your friends and a has been."
Jade's eyes widen as soon as those words left the twit's mouth. Has been? Did she call her a has been? Okay, enough is enough.
Jade grabbed the girl's shoulder and swung her around as her eyes spit fire at the girl's blue shocked eyes, "Maybe, my scissors will have a better time in your hair. Did you think about that?" with that the girl let out a small scream and ran off.
Now, that made her feel better, she thought with a smile. It even brought a smile to Beck's face. Truth be told, he didn't really feel like being haggled by the ditzy girl.
"Now, can we leave?" Jade said. Andre and Beck just nodded.
They meet up with the rest of the gang as they walked around the mall. Jade listened in on their chatter, not really commenting a lot just looking at how Tori and Beck interact with each other. She still felt a little pang of jealousy when she laughed at his jokes. Beck was funny, he just wasn't that damn funny. Kat was running around giggling as they came out of one clothing store.
"I can't believe I found those boots here." Tori said and Kat steady giggled.
"I know, I like the pretty skirt that I got."
"Yea, pink and frilly, can we go now?" Jade said.
"Come on Jade, I saw some really cute black shirts in there I thought you would; like the one with the frog." Tori hinted.
"Only if the frog was dead would I wear that shirt." Jade said.
"I'm just happy to finally get out of the store. I mean, how many times can you girls try on the same outfit?" Andre asked.
"They weren't the same; they were different."
"Yea colors, other than that, it all looks the same to us." Beck chimmed.
They finally got to the shop that Jade wanted, E Mad. Jade felt right at home as she looked around at the different black goth clothes. Beck looked over at Jade and saw how her eyes lit up. He remembers that look she use to give him when she saw him coming.
"Wow, everything is so dark." Tori said.
"Hey, you think if I wear some of these, girls will pay attention to me?" Robbie said looking at some of the clothes.
"You could dress yourself in a suit made of real money and girls still wouldn't notice you." Jade said holding a skirt up to her.
"That's mean, but it's a little true Robbie." Tori added.
Beck came up behind Jade and reached in front of her for a black dress, "I think this one would look great on you." He said and she turned around to face him as he held it up to her.
"It's doable, you know, not completely hideous." She said enjoying him being so close to her.
He looked into her eyes as he let his finger graze her collar bone. It left a tingling trail every where he touched her milky skin. He had to control himself; he couldn't afford to embrass himself with his friends around. Sensing his conflicting emotions, Jade took the dress and back away from him.
"Whoa Jade, that looks nice, you should try it on."
"You like it?" Jade said to Tori.
"Yea, it should look good on you." Tori smiled and Jade just looked at her.
"Now, I'm not sure if I like this anymore."
"Go try it on Jade." Beck said.
"If it makes you feel better, I will try on this shirt with you."
"Yes, of course, that will make me feel better." Jade said flatly and headed towards the dressing room with Tori behind her, picking up a pair of heels.
They both went into the dressing room and Jade started changing, "You know Jade," Oh God, Jade thought, "it's really cool that we are hanging out with each other more."
"I'm thrilled." She said unenthusiastically.
"You don't have to pretend with me Jade. I know you feel like we are real friends."
"Are you sure about that?" Tori looked at Jade, "Alright, we maybe sort of friends. I mean, you are not totally annoying."
Tori smiled, "Come on, give me squeeze." She said holding out her arms with a big goofy grin.
"Since I refuse to hug someone of the same sex when I'm almost naked, how about I give you a smile?"
"Fine, I'll take it." Tori agreed and Jade put on this huge smile and turned back around to change into the dress.
"I was thinking about going to this party of some of my friends from my old school. I was wondering if you want to go."
Jade stopped for a moment, "Vega, I hope you are not being nice and sweet just because of what happened the other night. I don't really need the friendship just because you think you owe me one."
"Jade, come on; that's not it at all. Even though, I am grateful for what you did, I've always wanted us to really get to know each other and be good friends."
"Well, I'll think about it. You're not all bad to be around, just don't expect me to be all happy and giddy around you."
"I actually expect you to be nothing more than normal Jade, but can we be a little less mean."
"I make no promises; sometimes it just comes out naturally." Jade said slipping into the dress.
Jade looked at herself in the mirror, amazed at how she looked in the dress. It really fit and it made her look hot. Jade went ahead and slid on the black gladiator heels.
"Oh wow Jade. That looks great."
"You think so?"
"Yea, I think you should wear that at the party."
"Maybe, it does make my boobs and butt look great." Jade shrugged, turning around in the mirror.
"I think you should get it."
"This price tag says I shouldn't." she said her eyes nearly bugging out when she saw the price.
"Come on, let's see what the gang say." Tori said pulling her out the dressing room, "Hey guys! What do you think?"
The gang turned to look at Jade and she just shrugged waiting to hear it. Robby swallowed hard as Rex's mouth dropped.
"Dang girl, that dress looks good on you." Rex replied.
"Jade, you look great, I like it." Kat said smiling.
"I'm glad that you all think this looks good, but the fact of the matter is, I can't afford this dress and the shoes right now." Jade said snatching off the shoes.
"Well, get the dress and then use some shoes you have at home." All the girls gasped looking at Andre with bloody murder, "Well, I thought it was a good idea."
"You can't get a new dress and not get the shoes." Tori said.
"Even I know that." Kat chimmed.
Jade rolled her eyes and looked over at Beck who just smiled. Now she was really confused. She really wanted to know what Beck thought of the outfit and he was being his usual unreadable self.
"Hey guys, I have to jet, emergency just came up." Beck said.
"Aw man, you're going to make us ride with Kat's brother?" Andre said.
"No Andre, he's gotten better since he has taken his medicine." Kat reassured.
"Well, nertz to that, I'll just call my mom." Jade said rolling her eyes.
"See you guys later." Beck said walking off. Great, he ask her to come out with them and then leaves.
"I do like that shirt on you though Tori." Kat said and Tori smiled, "You look very Jadeish." Tori just blinked and kept smiling.
"Thanks Kat, I think."
"Now, what?" Jade said more to herself.
"You know they are right, you do look great in that. In fact, you look gorgeous." An older man said walking up to them, "Did you ever think about modeling?"
"Oh, not really. I know everyone always comments on my cheek bones." Tori gushed which made Jade almost vomit. Great, another person always raving on and on about Tori, Jade thought.
"Your cheek bones are amazing, but I was actually talking about her." He said turning his attention to Jade.
"Wait me?" Jade said.
"Yes, you. I'm Emilio Madsen."
"I'm Jade West. Wait, Emilio Madsen as in E. Mad? This is your store." Jade said in shock.
"That's right, I always come to my store openings and when I saw you I knew you were it. See I've been looking for a new face for to show my couture version of my clothing line and I think you are it." He said with a smile.
"I never thought about doing any type of modeling."
"Well I want you to think about it. I'm telling you with you as the new face you can really go far and help my line. I have some studio time setup and I want you to come for a photo session. Of course you will have to get permission from your parents and we will pay you."
Jade was flabbergasted, for the first time, she was really speechless, "Um yea sure. I would love too." Jade smiled.
"Great and for a treat, you can keep the dress and the shoes."
Tori jumped up and down smiling, "Are you serious?" Jade asked with a bigger smile.
"I'm very serious. So, can I expect to see you next weekend?"
Jade stopped smiling when she thought about what he said, "I can't."
"Jade?" Kat said.
"Not next weekend. I have other plans."
"You are about to launch a modeling career, what's more important than that?" Tori whispered.
"I just can't." she said.
"Okay, it's no problem. We can do it this weekend. You can even bring your friends."
Jade nodded, "You got it."
"Alright, so go ahead and change then I'll get that information for you."
"Sure. I'll be back." Jade was going to head back but stopped, "Mr. Madison, can you throw in Tori's shirt too? I mean, I guess she doesn't make it look horrible."
"Sure and you can call me Emilio."
Jade had to stop this, she was doing too many nice things too close together. Tori smiled and jumped up to hug Jade.
"Don't wrinkle my new dress." Jade said pushing away from Tori.
Jade changed back into her clothes and went to find Mr. Madison. She was still on cloud nine; she couldn't believe that she was pretty much discovered at the mall. This was something girls dreamed about, it rarely happened; especially happening to Jade. Even the look on Tori's face when they realized he was talking about her was priceless.
Jade finally found Mr. Madison by the clerk, "Mr. Emilio, thanks again for the dress and shoes." She said handing him a slip of paper.
"You are very welcome but it seems like I may owe you another pair of shoes."
"What do you mean? Is there something wrong with these shoes, because I will deal with it?" Jade said and he just smiled.
"No, my associate just told me that someone already paid for your shoes."
"What?" Jade said nearly shouting.
"Yea, one of your friends."
"My friends barely have money to buy a clue let alone these shoes."
"Well, she said that one did. She said it was the guy with good looking hair."
Good looking hair? No, he wouldn't buy these shoes, not for her. Jade bit down on her bottom lip, but that makes no sense.
"So, let's go over where we will meet and everything, shall we?" he said bringing Jade back to reality.
"Sure, okay." She said following him.
Later that night, Jade couldn't keep her mind off what happened earlier. Yea it was an amazing opportunity that she was going to model, but that wasn't it. Beck paid for her shoes, but why? He knew that she couldn't get the dress and shoes, so he paid for it. Her heart was pounding in her chest the entire drive to his house anticipating what she was going to say.
She pulled in front of the trailer and saw that his light was on. Good, he's not busy. She walked to his trailer and did her persistent knock on the door that she always did to let him know she was there. He swung open the door blinking at Jade.
"Jade, what you doing here?" she pushed past him into the trailer, "Come right in."
"Why did you leave so early today?" Jade said immediately crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"I had something that came up." He said stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"What did you have come up that you invited me to come and then leave?"
"I had things that came up at home. I'm sorry about that."
"Yea, well I wished you would have told me more about it." She shrugged, "Why did you buy me those shoes?"
He opened his mouth and then quickly closed it, "Well…um…"
"Yea, come on with what ever story you want to come up with."
He narrowed his eyes and walked over to stand in front of her, "I bought them because I thought they looked nice on you."
"Well, you shouldn't have." She said trying to be strong under piercing gaze.
"Jade, you just can't stand me doing something nice for you. I wanted to do it for you."
"No, I didn't mean it like that. I mean you shouldn't have because the guy who owns the label gave them too me. Well in that case I guess I should thank you. I got two pairs of shoes because of you."
"Wait, why did you get free shoes?" he said shaking his head.
"You mean no one told you?" he shook his head, "The guy who designs the clothes saw me wearing them and wanted me to model them in a photo shoot. He gave me the dress and shoes as a gift."
"Are you serious? That's great Jade." He said holding on to her shoulder.
"I mean it's okay. I'm a little nervous."
"Why?"
"Hello! I'm going to a photo shoot here against real models that do this every day and here I come trying to do the same thing they do. I'm an actress, singer, maybe a writer but a model?"
"Just something else for you to add to your resume. Jade I know you will do…"
"Beckie!" they heard from outside the trailer.
"What was that?" Jade said.
"Oh no." Beck whispered.
That's when there was a light knock on the door. Jade looked over at Beck before he headed to the door with a sigh. To his horror, the blonde excited girl stood there holding on to a pie.
"Hey Beck!" she said walking in and Jade immediately folded her arms.
"Hey…Lauren?"
"Oh, you remembered my name." she squealed and Jade rolled her eyes, "I wanted to thank you for taking me to school the other day so I made you a pie."
"You made that pie?" Beck said staring at the big grocery label on the container.
"Yea, we totally don't see the store label staring us right in the face." Jade finally said and the girl turned looking at her.
"Oh, you were Beck's old girlfriend…or should I say old news."
Jade's eyes immediately widen, "Oh." She said drawing out the word, "I'm old news?"
"Yea, I mean you don't belong here." She ended in an annoying high pitch voice.
"Since I'm in a good mood, I'm going to give you some time to get your thoughts together about who you are talking too. Don't push me sweetheart."
"Yes please don't." Beck said noticing how red Jade's face was becoming.
"Oh Beck you don't have to stand up for her. You have been more than gracious putting up with her for as long you did when you dated her."
"Spell gracious." The girl opened her mouth like she was going to say something then quickly closed it as if in deep thought, "Y ea, before you use big words, make sure you know how to spell them."
"It doesn't matter. It still doesn't mask the fact that you weren't good enough for him, grunge."
Beck threw up his hands, he knew that was the last straw. Jade let out a long sigh and walked between them nearly throwing her across the trailer. They both followed her outside and saw her heading to the trunk of her car. Beck knew where this was going.
"Um, Lauren, you may want to get out of here." Beck said .
"Why? I'm not scared of her."
"You don't have to be, but you may want to be scared of my damn bat and it tells me that you have 5 seconds to get out of here before you violently meet each other. Sweetheart, you already wasted 3 of them, so 3!" Jade called holding the large wooden bat in her hands cocked and ready.
Lauren blinked for a minute until it actually registered what she said when Jade called out four. She sprinted to her car and hoped inside faster than a rabbit getting back into their hole. She burnt off before Jade could get out the number five. Beck looked the girl's back lights as they faded further in the darkness.
"I love the fact that you got rid of the girl." He said as she put the bat back in her trunk as she continued that sly smile.
"Well, you should know to keep better company. Anyway, I guess I should go. I just wanted to tell you about what's going on. I really would appreciate it if you show up; I already invited the rest of the gang."
"Yea sure. I would love to come."
"Great, I really need you there to help cheer me on."
"Hey, you are just as beautiful as any one of those models, maybe more so, because everything about you is really you. I know you are going to knock them dead."
The way he looked into her eyes made her knees weak and heart beating triple time. Words left her briefly wondering what she should say next, but she swallowed hard and gain her composure.
"I appreciate that, but promise me that if you see anything that looks like a bearskin rug, you pull me out immediately."
Beck chuckled shaking his head, "You got it."
"Oh yea I forgot." She said as it dawned on her, "My whole reason for coming here." She went to her car and grabbed a little bag.
"What's that?"
"Well, I can't have you be the one that gives all the gift giving." She said handing him the bag.
"Did you seriously buy me something?"
"Well, yea. It's nothing really. I remember you were eyeing it for some time but you never got it so." She shrugged as he reached in the bag.
She tried not to show but she was nervous as hell. She wasn't sure if she may have cross some line, but she really wanted to do something nice for Beck. She sighed in relief when she saw the huge smile spread across his face.
"I can't believe you got this for me." He beamed as he pulled out the book, "I was actually going to get it for myself since the new edition came out."
"Yea, well, there you go." She giggled nervously. Giggled, Jade hardly giggles. She had to get out of here.
She saw him staring into her eyes again and then zero in on her lips. Oh God how bad she wanted him to kiss her and she knew he felt the same way. She wanted to fight it, but fighting what came so naturally for them was getting harder and harder.
"Um, I should go you know because of school and stuff. I really didn't intend on staying long and…" she was cut off by his lips pressing against hers as he held her face in his hands.
Her body couldn't fight it any longer as she pulled him closer to her, feeling the heat from the body threatening to ignite them. Damn, why did he have to make her feel this way? It was enticing and addicting at the same time. With the last of her restraint, she pulled away from him looking into his smoldering eyes.
"We really have a long day tomorrow. No telling what Sikowitz have plan for us."
"Yea, you're right. " he said twirling a strand of her hair with his fingers.
She didn't know why but at that moment looking at him, her heart hurt. She wanted to admit what she felt about Beck, but she was so unsure. She was unsure about if this time she would really be ready for him. More importantly, she was unsure about his feelings for her and Tori. Would he be like, she stopped right there. This was worst than the last time they broke up and she went crying to Tori about getting him back. She sighed and saw the worried look on Beck's face. She wondered what was up, when she felt the tear run down her face.
"Jade, what's…" he started.
"Nothing, I just have to go." She said, "I'll see you tomorrow." Jade rushed to her car and jumped in before Beck said anything.
Why was she always such a ball of emotion around him? She drove back to the house, blasting her music trying not to think about Beck kissing her. In her head, she felt like she was making the right decision because she still didn't know how things are with Beck and Tori. He can say all day that there is nothing there but she can't get that image out of her head of them almost kissing and then the number of times that Beck just had to come to her rescue even when they were together. What if one day Tori actually says that she wants to be with him and he leaves her? Tori may be a good friend but there's still going to be that feeling that Beck would prefer her over Jade. Then her heart would tell her that this time it would be different, that the way Beck looked at her now was meant for her. She sighed as she felt a headache forming.
"Why does this have to be so difficult?" she sighed.
It was finally the day of her shoot and the gang showed up marveling at how it was set up. There was huge circles and shapes all over and then the other set looked a golden Egyptian throne room. That's obviously where Jade is going to shoot, Beck thought with a smile.
"Man, this is sick." Andre said.
"Yea, no chiz. I wonder if Jade is already here." Robbie said.
"Who cares about that? I want to see some models." Rex said.
"I hate to agree with him, but I feel the same way. I want to meet some hot models." Andre said rubbing his hands together.
"We are here to support Jade." Tori reminded.
"I'm not." Trina said, "I'm here to get discovered as a model."
"Trina, the only reason you got here is because you followed us. This is Jade's day." Tori reminded.
"Of course it is, for now; but if he just so happens to like my look a little more than hers, I can't help it."
Beck shook his head, "Let's just keep calm. We don't want to freak out Jade anymore than she may already be."
"You guys are Jade's friends right?" a man said walking up to them.
Tori noticed that it was the owner from the store, "Hey there Mr. Madison."
"Good to see you all. Jade is already getting ready, they are just putting the final touches on her."
"So is it just Jade today or will there be other super models?" Andre asked.
Mr. Madison laughed, "Yes, there are some other models right now. Now if I remember, you are Tori and Kat?"
Kat giggled, "No, I'm Kat, that's Tori." She pointed out and Tori just shook her head.
"Um, yea." Mr. Madison said, "Jade wanted to see you both."
"And I'm sure, my best friend Jade wants to see me too, Trina Vega. Then we can see about me becoming one of your models."
"Trina Vega? You know Jade did mention you. Security!" he said motioning for the two guys standing by the door.
"Wait! What? Tori tell them that I'm with you guys."
"I'm sorry, she just walked in with us." The two guys picked Trina up carrying her out, kicking and screaming.
"Alright girls, follow me and guys, behave your selves."
"Of course, no worries here." Beck smiled.
"I bet." Mr. Madison smiled as he started walking towards the back.
Jade sat there as the stylist made her hair bigger and messier than she was use to. The way they had her made up with all the makeup and everything she hardly recognized herself. She sighed to herself as she watched them fuss over her. She turned when she saw Kat come in, she was happy to see her, even to see Tori.
"Whoa, is that Jade?" Tori said smiling.
"I don't know; where is she?" Kat said really looking.
"I'm right here Kat." Jade said rolling her eyes.
"Oh no, you can't be Jade, you are a model." Kat giggled.
"I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or actually think about smacking you with a hammer." Jade said with a sigh.
"That sounds painful." Kat said rubbing her head.
"Whoa Jade, you look great. I really like the color they used on your cheeks."
"Oh well guys, let's get this over with." Jade said as they finished her makeup.
She stood up with her robe on in her spiked red heels. Jade looked at herself in the mirror and thought about what she had on under the robe. She swore she looked older and sexier than but in a good way. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach as thoughts started forming in her head that she looked stupid.
"I don't know if I can't do this." Jade whispered but Tori heard her.
"Jade, what's wrong? You look awesome."
"Thanks I really need your opinion."
"Well." Tori said feigning hurt.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. It's just… you think it's too much?"
"No, I think you look hot."
Jade bit down on her bottom lip and thought back to what Beck told her. He said that she was as beautiful as any one of those models and he made her feel that way. Alright, Jade stop being a puss and go out there. She walked out there and saw the guys standing around Beck and Andre in the middle of a sea of models(figures) with Robbie trying to make himself a part of the group.
"Bella Jade," Emilio said walking up to her, "you look wonderful. Now we are going to start you in this set." He said motioning over to the set with all the large circles. I want you to maneuver in and out the circle, just do what feels natural."
"This isn't really a natural setting." Jade responded and he chuckled lightly.
"I understand that; just move around, look out for the camera, and give me a little animalistic sexy. This is your photographer Michael Russo, he is great and works with a lot of first time models."
"Don't be nervous Jade, just breath and just flow." The photographer said and she nodded.
"You ready, Jade?" Emilio asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Jade shrugged and he patted her shoulder and she walked towards the set carefully.
These damn heels, she thought to herself as she got close to the larger circle, "Alright Jade, you can lose the robe." The photographer said.
Beck saw her fumble with the tie nervously before untying it the robe. She pulled it off to reveal her skin tight tube jump suit. Beck's jaw nearly dropped to the floor as Andre and Robbie gazed on their eyes bulging out of head. Beck always knew that she was hot but he never knew that she could be that sexy.
"You look incredible Jade." The photographer said.
She smiled lightly and got inside the huge circle looking as if she was caged inside. She glanced towards Beck and saw that primal look in his eyes. That look that says 'I want you, right here and right now.' It was the fuel she needs to push through the shoot and deliver what she thought Emilio wanted. He kept praising her and telling her to do more and she kept delivering. She stepped outside the big circle laying against it, kneeling next to it, and going to the other circles to play against them.
The next scene, she wore a long gold skirt with a sheer top that hardly left anything to the imagination but was still covering up her breasts. She also had a gold headpiece like she was a queen. She looked beyond words, Beck thought as she saw the photographer catching every moment. He always thought Jade had sort of a regal look to her so she knocked this look out of the park. Just watching her gracefully move and they intense look in her eyes made him want her more. Maybe it was all in his head but a part of him felt like the glances she gave him made her push a little harder. It was like she was putting on a show for him. It made him realize that he will never be ready to let Jade go.
